LESSON 11.8 What happened when Polynesians settled and stayed? LEARNING INTENTION By the end of this lesson you should be able to: • understand the impact that humans can have on local plant and animal life • reflect on why people come into conflict describe the lifestyle of the M̄aori and the way they built their villages.
Tune in The takahe (a flightless bird) was hunted almost to extinction. Today, many other species are facing the same fate due to climate change, impacts on their environment and human actions. Mind-map some ways that we can reduce our impact on at-risk species. You might like to focus on one particular group, such as: • numbats • bandicoots • elephants
SOURCE1 The takahe
• turtles • rhinos.
11.8.1 Living with a new land While all Polynesian cultures share common ancestry, they are unique in many ways, such as clothing, food, language and art. The M̄aori settlement in New Zealand is well-documented and serves as a good example. Initially, the M̄aori lived according to their ancient customs, despite the new climate. They brought plants like taro, yam, gourd , and kumara . They also introduced the kiore (rat) and kuri (dog). Settlements spread along the coasts, and the M̄aori learned to hunt, fish and use native plants like the New Zealand cabbage tree and flax for food and cloth. 11.8.2 R̄ahui Polynesian settlers had to adapt to their new environments. The concept of r̄ahui (prohibition) was used to prevent overuse of resources. It ensured that natural resources weren’t depleted, allowing the land to recover. For example, a r̄ahui might be placed over an area to stop food gathering temporarily. This practice helped conserve food supplies and was accepted by all M̄aori tribes. Sadly, some environmental damage occurred before r̄ahui could help. The introduction of dogs and cats destroyed habitats of flightless birds like the takahe, almost leading to their extinction. The moa, another flightless bird, was hunted to extinction. The M̄aori used moa meat, large eggs, bones and shells for food, ornaments, fishhooks and water containers. Moa meat was preserved and traded.
Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator